Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social @MrMarkEThomas Twitter profile

Pinned Tweet

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

3 years

If you want to see the UK remain a functioning democracy with a strong social contract and are concerned that we may be heading for something rather different, take a look at the 99% Organisation.

Home - 99%

99-percent.org

27

362

550

Last Seen Profiles

@turbanlisever69

@Ford

@aoyuzu205

@lwwwo19

@AlsmyhyB

@zyadcuckold1423

@q1ErEgEJCiobIgC

@pe_cyn

@Vtuber15827499

@v_aito_v

@animenotakahasi

@baibaibuwan

@GMC

@SagueneensLHJMQ

@AlsmwdW

@GirlyAnonymuss

@autumnbuttons

@TheDIS

@zeuzbrandy_4442

@winner_fuyuka

@safvan__369

@GabrielLemes_

@yusano318

@Lenslinger

@ARTAarta0107

@12qqc

@stw_pdg

@JustMikeMcKay

@CoachPeff

@allianceparty

@cr20tbszxx

@jvla0203

@Fanuz_

@Alsmood17

@MonkeyDMilhed

@ADUtrechtLive

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/13) Sunak says that “government can’t be expected to solve every problem.” Here is a list of problems this government cannot be expected to solve. If we want them solved, we need a different government.

261

4K

10K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/14) This thread looks at who should – rationally – be voting Conservative in the coming elections.

222

4K

7K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/14) In the wake of Steve Bray’s arrest, this thread counts the warning signs the UK has largely ignored. And shows what we can do about it. @snb19692

126

3K

6K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

Thread (1/10) The Conservatives are still repeating the increasingly ludicrous claim that they have been "getting the big calls right." As this thread shows, nothing could be further from the truth.

83

2K

5K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/10) This thread looks at what it will take for us to realise how dangerously close to dictatorship we are. And it suggests two things you can do today to reduce the risk.

91

2K

5K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/15) Sometimes a moment can be pivotal in a way which is not obvious at the time. This thread explores whether the UK is at such a pivotal moment now, without most of the population realising it. And suggests what we can do about it.

118

3K

5K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/28) Conservative Peer Baroness Michelle Mone and her family received almost £29 million from a firm on whose behalf she had lobbied. This thread looks at what she did, and whether she is an outlier in such behaviour.

136

2K

4K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 months

Thread (1/9) One of the most extraordinary things about Sunak’s speech …

103

2K

3K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

1 year

Thread (1/3) The UK population is now up against a Conservative Party with no respect for anything except raw power and the wealth of its donors...

38

614

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

1 year

Thread (1/20) Looking at this government’s track record, it is natural to assume they are incompetent. This thread argues that, on the contrary, they have been focussed, effective and even innovative … in pushing forward an agenda which is bad for almost everyone in Britain.

61

1K

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/6) What happens when a government turns on its own population?

120

1K

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

1 year

Thread( 1/20) This thread explores the gradual dawning of awareness of the damage done by this Conservative Government, and what we can do now that we are aware.

64

1K

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

@michael_merrick Nobody is abusing him "for being open about his catholic faith." Plenty of people are open about that faith and are not abused. The reason he is abused is this:

31

327

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 months

(3/9) Rather than choose a neutral venue, he deliberately picked an extreme right-wing, opaquely funded think tank to set out his ideas for the country. What signal did he intend to send, and to whom?

23

409

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

Thread (1/8) This thread explains why Ken Clarke’s comment about elected dictatorships should be taken seriously. We still have time to save UK democracy, but we do not have time to waste.

37

1K

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/14) This thread looks at the risks of the UK becoming a society where the wealthy and powerful set the laws but are not obliged to follow them, while the rest of us (even collectively) have no say in the setting of the law but face heavy penalties if we do not obey

56

965

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(2/15) The challenge is that we have a government which is failing the UK on every measure, and which is busy dismantling UK democracy in order to govern for the benefit of its extremely wealthy donors

5

476

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(5/15) They have just passed a Health & Care Bill which will enable them – finally – to get rid of the NHS as we know it and turn the UK system into something much more like the US system. This will be literally ruinous for many UK citizens.

How the Government is Destroying the NHS - 99%

The government has a Health & Care Bill which it claims will not harm the NHS. Here, for example, is the reply sent by an MP to her constituent […]

99-percent.org

19

772

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/11) Truss has been in the cabinet for 12 years and is co-responsible for the damage done to the UK over that time. But in just 2 weeks, she has dramatically accelerated the destruction. This thread looks at what she ‘offers’ to the UK and what we can do about it.

23

780

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(2/13) We cannot expect this government to solve the cost-of-living crisis. “Where other governments have supported consumers and small business and imposed windfall taxes and price caps on energy companies, ours has declined to act.”

Cost of Living Crisis? What Cost of Living Crisis? - 99%

Even before the recent tax and price rises, government policy decisions have been impoverishing the majority of the UK population. And of course those recent rises will only make life […]

99-percent.org

5

412

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(3/15) For the first time since the early 1800s, we have sustained impoverishment of the mass of the British population: most people are poorer today than they were in 2010 when the government first came to power.

When the 99% Become the Downwardly Mobile - 99%

You may feel life is getting less and less affordable – as many people do. But the government claims that the UK has a strongly growing economy and that […]

99-percent.org

5

544

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/14) This thread explains the assault the UK government is mounting on the NHS: its historical roots, its recent manifestations and the plans for the future. Most importantly, it explains what we need to do to prevent the assault succeeding.

46

1K

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(8/14) You should not vote Conservative if you want your healthcare to be properly funded, cover all your health needs and remain free at the point of use.

How the Government is Destroying the NHS - 99%

The government has a Health & Care Bill which it claims will not harm the NHS. Here, for example, is the reply sent by an MP to her constituent […]

99-percent.org

8

422

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(7/15) Last night, they put the Electoral Commission, which is the (formerly independent) body that is meant to ensure that UK elections are free and fair under the control of … Michael Gove. And from now on, you will not be able to vote without a passport or driving licence.

26

554

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(14/14) That does not leave many people who should be voting Conservative. If you would like to help tackle all these problems, take a look at the 99% organisation, sign up and join us.

Home - 99%

99-percent.org

55

280

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/20) Being a civilised country is expensive: you need a good infrastructure, a strong education system, a healthy population, etc. And that requires taxes, which the wealthy contribute to. If you didn't want to contribute, you would have to destroy the social contract.

36

789

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(2/14) You should not vote Conservative if you are finding it hard to cope financially.

Why Sunak Fails - 99%

Every spring, the Chancellor produces a mini-budget, the Spring Statement. This one faces a few challenges: for the last 12 years, most people in the UK have been getting poorer […]

99-percent.org

7

388

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(11/14) You should not vote Conservative if you care about preserving the environment.

The Sewage Rebellion - 99%

A decade ago, around 80% of Britain’s bathing waters were rated excellent; over the last 10 years, that has fallen by 20% to around 60%. And of course, the downside is […]

99-percent.org

5

367

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

1 year

Thread (1/16) The far right seized on the 75th Anniversary to claim that it is time to replace the NHS with a privatised, social insurance model. This thread explains what they want, how they lie to us and what we can do about it.

30

980

2K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/23) Why is Sunak unfit to be Prime Minister? 3 key reasons: 1. No regard for ethics or law 2. Track record of failing the British people 3. An agenda with no mandate

38

679

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(9/14) You should not vote Conservative if you believe in democracy.

Saving Democracy - 99%

The UK Needs a democratic reset if it is to remain a functioning democracy

99-percent.org

3

344

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(11/14) Or will we recognise that – as last week’s by-election results showed – this government is much more fragile than it wants us to believe. And working together, we can resist and unseat them. #IStandWithSteveBray

7

372

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(3/14) You should not vote Conservative if you are young.

Fixing the Deal - 99%

Most millennials believe that the baby-boomer generation had it easy, and that unless something changes, their own life chances will be much less rosy than their parents’. Not everyone is […]

99-percent.org

6

341

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(6/13) We cannot expect this government to stop our rivers and coastal waters from being pumped full of sewage.

The Sewage Rebellion - 99%

A decade ago, around 80% of Britain’s bathing waters were rated excellent; over the last 10 years, that has fallen by 20% to around 60%. And of course, the downside is […]

99-percent.org

4

330

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(8/15) You no longer have the right to peaceful protest.

What Kind of Country Does Not have the Right to Peaceful Protest? - 99%

The right to peaceful protest is, at least in principle, internationally accepted. Article 21 of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) governs the right of peaceful […]

99-percent.org

10

488

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(3/13) We cannot expect this government to fund the NHS properly. “We shouldn’t always go first to the state – what kind of society would that be? Health and Social Care: it begins at home. It should be family first, then the community then the state.”

Amending the Health and Care Bill - 99%

This article is a distillation of the paper produced by the 99% Organisation NHS Project team, which included former NHS consultants, management consultants, social workers and patients with...

99-percent.org

6

353

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(8/13) We cannot expect this government to govern in the interests of the UK population rather than its donors.

Who Governs Britain? - 99%

The one significant group which does not appear to have undue influence on how Britain is governed is the bottom 99% of the UK population. There is an obvious and […]

99-percent.org

9

338

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(6/14) We ignored Ken Clarke’s warnings that we were getting dangerously close to being an elected dictatorship.

Ken Clarke: "We’re now close to an elected dictatorship under Boris Johnson"

In a revealing interview, former Conservative chancellor Ken Clarke tells TIM WALKER his fears – and hopes – for the country, and of his sadness at what the Tory Party has become.

www.theneweuropean.co.uk

7

428

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 months

(4/9) Not to the mass of British voters who largely neither know nor care what the think tanks say. But to the nameless backers of the think tanks themselves, who are busy planning a grim future for the UK.

What the Extreme-Right May be Planning - 99%

The wealthy market fundamentalists who fund the right-wing parties and think tanks have different objectives from the UK population as a whole. These think tanks propose such policies as abolishing...

99-percent.org

5

304

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(13/14) You should not vote Conservative if you want to see the UK respected on the world stage.

Sir Michael Take CBE

@MichaelTakeMP

2 years

Our British Lion 🦁 Boris Johnson loved by #Ukraine ️ & universally recognised as leader of the free world stands proudly in front of other leaders at The NATO Summit. He doesn’t join in with trivial chit chat He is on a mission to defeat Russia. Hero🇬🇧💪

1K

8K

13

293

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(5/13) We cannot expect this government to stop the UK from having an economic performance worse than virtually every major developed economy.

Time to Change Track - 99%

The UK is a rich country with a proud democratic tradition. We have produced some of the world’s greatest scientists and a number of world-leading companies. We are strong in […]

99-percent.org

2

300

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(4/14) You should not vote Conservative if you want to go to university

2

318

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(10/14) You should not vote Conservative if you do not approve of corruption.

Legalising Corruption? - 99%

This article was written before Paterson resigned. The points it raises go far beyond the egregious failings of one MP – the Prime Minister’s fingerprints are clearly visible. Please read […]

99-percent.org

2

302

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(7/13) We cannot expect this government to tackle the scale of corruption it has created.

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

Thread (1/8) This thread is about the increasing corruption in UK politics. Corruption is hard to prove but immensely destructive of society

6

148

190

4

313

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(6/14) You should not vote Conservative if you are old

6

304

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(6/15) They have been systematically destroying our democratic safeguards – just in case we might resent being made poorer and having our healthcare removed and try to do something about it.

Saving Democracy - 99%

The UK Needs a democratic reset if it is to remain a functioning democracy

99-percent.org

2

403

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(4/13) We cannot expect this government to prevent the UK from having a COVID death toll among the 30 worst in the world.

4

286

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(7/14) You should not vote Conservative if you are poor.

Cost of Living Crisis? What Cost of Living Crisis? - 99%

Even before the recent tax and price rises, government policy decisions have been impoverishing the majority of the UK population. And of course those recent rises will only make life […]

99-percent.org

4

313

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

Thread (1/5) The Government’s Health & Care Bill is now in the House of Lords. If we allow it to pass without amendment, the impact on us all will be grave. But it is not too late to de-fang the Bill. Please write to your MP: we have made it easy for you (see last Tweet).

34

845

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(12/14) You should not vote Conservative if you want to see a strong UK economy.

Time to Change Track - 99%

The UK is a rich country with a proud democratic tradition. We have produced some of the world’s greatest scientists and a number of world-leading companies. We are strong in […]

99-percent.org

1

298

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(9/14) The Government now has a “Human Rights” Bill, which will remove many of the rights we have had in the past. Will we ignore that?

Liberty responds to Government Bill scrapping Human Rights Act - Liberty

A Government that repeatedly changes the rules to suit them is now planning to rip up the basic rights and protections we all rely on to make themselves untouchable

www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk

7

461

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(5/14) You should not vote Conservative if you do not want to go to university

When the 99% Become the Downwardly Mobile - 99%

You may feel life is getting less and less affordable – as many people do. But the government claims that the UK has a strongly growing economy and that […]

99-percent.org

1

282

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(11/13) We cannot expect this government even to leave us with the right to peaceful protest.

What Kind of Country Does Not have the Right to Peaceful Protest? - 99%

The right to peaceful protest is, at least in principle, internationally accepted. Article 21 of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) governs the right of peaceful […]

99-percent.org

2

295

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(9/15) It could not be clearer that the government is not governing on behalf of its citizens. So who is it really representing?

Who Governs Britain? - 99%

The one significant group which does not appear to have undue influence on how Britain is governed is the bottom 99% of the UK population. There is an obvious and […]

99-percent.org

4

368

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(8/14) When the law came into force, we saw the government use it to shut down a one-man protest, as that protest is beginning to gain traction. That is more like a dictatorship than the democracy we have been in the past. Will we ignore that?

Charlotte Lynch

@charlotterlynch

2 years

On the day that “noisy” protest becomes unlawful under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, at least 20 police officers have just surrounded anti-Brexit protestor Steve Bray outside the Houses of Parliament and seized his loud speaker. @LBC

2K

6K

13K

12

425

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(9/13) We cannot expect this government to preserve our employment rights.

3

288

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(7/14) Many of us did not take the Police Bill seriously. Not quite realising that the right to be a little noisy in a protest is an important human right. So we ignored the dangers.

What Kind of Country Does Not have the Right to Peaceful Protest? - 99%

The right to peaceful protest is, at least in principle, internationally accepted. Article 21 of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) governs the right of peaceful […]

99-percent.org

9

374

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

The NHS is facing serious threats right now. Please sign the petition and retweet. (Here's why we need to act now: )

Petition: Amend the Health and Care Bill to protect the NHS.

1. Make the NHS the default for NHS contracts and tender competitively if not; 2. Ensure governance by those whose fiduciary duty is to patients rather than to shareholders. 3. Retain the duty on the...

petition.parliament.uk

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

Thread As John Major said: “The concept that [the Cabinet] care for the NHS is odd: Gove wants to privatise it; Boris wants to charge people for using it; and Duncan Smith wants an insurance system. The NHS is as safe with them as a pet hamster would be with a hungry python.”

18

514

802

111

2K

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(9/10) When Sue Gray’s report showed Johnson lied to the House – a resigning offence – he re-wrote the Ministerial Code to remove its teeth. And finally, we are realising the way the wind is blowing. Please write to your MP.

How Many Shades of Gray? - 99%

Photo leaked to ITV News Within two days of the publication of this article, Johnson responded to the risk it highlighted – of him being forced to resign for breaching […]

99-percent.org

34

388

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(4/15) And we are set to get still poorer as the government does nothing to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

Why Sunak Fails - 99%

Every spring, the Chancellor produces a mini-budget, the Spring Statement. This one faces a few challenges: for the last 12 years, most people in the UK have been getting poorer […]

99-percent.org

1

297

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(10/13) We cannot expect this government to preserve our democratic rights,

Saving Democracy - 99%

The UK Needs a democratic reset if it is to remain a functioning democracy

99-percent.org

3

269

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(3/14) Most of us ignored Philip Hammond’s warning about “extreme right-wingers” and radicals wanting to use the shock of Brexit to reorder society against the wishes of the British people.

6

326

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(14/15) So let us make sure we take it. Now is a time when we can pile on the pressure and get rid of the worst PM in modern British history. Let’s do it.

Judging Johnson - 99%

At some point, possibly this year, the Johnson premiership will be history. Johnson says that he would like to be judged on his record. How does that record look? Johnson’s […]

99-percent.org

5

275

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(13/13) So we need to choose a government we can expect to do those things. We need to fight back.

Home - 99%

99-percent.org

10

255

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 months

(5/9) Sunak is sending them a message: that he is prepared to take radical steps to implement their agenda.

What is the Market Fundamentalist Agenda? - 99%

This is a long post, and some of what it says may seem hard to believe. Do not dismiss it until you have read the UK Government Cabinet Paper cited […]

99-percent.org

3

269

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

1 year

Thread(1/2) The BBC will remain unbalanced while the top management are all Conservative Party place-men. And this in dangerous for UK democracy... The BBC: Balanced or Slanting Right? via @99organisation

The BBC: Balanced or Slanting Right? - 99%

We have been warned about this government, often not by the Left but by what used to be the voices of the Right: two former Conservative Chancellors and the editor […]

99-percent.org

44

513

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(6/6) How long will it take for that population to realise that it faces a constitutional emergency and to act?

Understanding the Coup - 99%

This is a transcript of the 99% Launch presentation at the IPPR on Tuesday, 3 September 2019. Understanding the Coup A week ago, I thought I had my presentation ready. […]

99-percent.org

10

348

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 months

@ByDonkeys @carolvorders Yes, we still think of this election as being a competition between political parties. That is wrong: "The battle in the UK is not the traditional competition between parties, but a much more dangerous struggle between a small number of billionaires and the bulk of the UK

28

523

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 months

(7/9) He is inadvertently showing us who is really pulling the strings.

Who Governs Britain? - 99%

The one significant group which does not appear to have undue influence on how Britain is governed is the bottom 99% of the UK population. There is an obvious and […]

99-percent.org

11

242

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(12/13) We cannot even expect this government to treat us as having rights as citizens. “The new Sovereign Individual will operate ... in the same physical environment as the ordinary, subject citizen, but in a separate realm politically.”

What is the Market Fundamentalist Agenda? - 99%

This is a long post, and some of what it says may seem hard to believe. Do not dismiss it until you have read the UK Government Cabinet Paper cited […]

99-percent.org

5

253

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(10/15) All of this is extremely depressing. But at the same time, we have some glimmers of hope: Johnson’s tenure may be near its end. His personal approval rating has plummeted, and his party is now way behind in the Polls:

POLITICO Poll of Polls — British polls, trends and election news for the United Kingdom and Scotland

All polls, trends and election news for the the United Kingdom, Scotland and London — Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party, SNP, Greens, Scottish independence referendum and Scotland elect…

www.politico.eu

10

227

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(2/10) The stark warnings from Philip Hammond and other leading Conservatives should have warned us. But most of us are not really interested in politics, so we didn’t notice.

What is the Market Fundamentalist Agenda? - 99%

This is a long post, and some of what it says may seem hard to believe. Do not dismiss it until you have read the UK Government Cabinet Paper cited […]

99-percent.org

8

275

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/10) Is Britain finally waking up to the threat to the nation posed by the so-called ‘think tanks’ in Tufton Street?

24

421

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(2/14) When Johnson first pulled together a cabinet of market fundamentalists, most people ignored the risk of a constitutional crisis.

Understanding the Coup - 99%

This is a transcript of the 99% Launch presentation at the IPPR on Tuesday, 3 September 2019. Understanding the Coup A week ago, I thought I had my presentation ready. […]

99-percent.org

3

261

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(12/15) His colleagues know that he will sacrifice anything – including them – in the interests of his own career, so they would be wise to act first.

The Wars of Johnson’s Career - 99%

The most ridiculous war in British history is possibly the War of Jenkins’ Ear. But the most needlessly damaging may be the Wars of Johnson’s Career. In order to promote […]

99-percent.org

3

226

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(13/15) So a bad result in the May elections could well be the trigger for his removal. That is not the end of the risk for the UK, as the most likely successors are equally bad – but it is an important first step.

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

Thread (1/9) This thread looks at the rather dismal list of candidates to succeed Johnson.

30

232

418

10

207

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

(2/8) Ken Clarke said: “Boris is … impatient with constitutional constraints. He gets angry if courts or parliament interfere. We are dangerously close to the “elected dictatorship” that Lord Hailsham warned us about half a century ago.”

Ken Clarke: "We’re now close to an elected dictatorship under Boris Johnson"

In a revealing interview, former Conservative chancellor Ken Clarke tells TIM WALKER his fears – and hopes – for the country, and of his sadness at what the Tory Party has become.

www.theneweuropean.co.uk

13

576

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(10/14) We are perilously close to the cliff edge. Will we continue to ignore the warning signs?

Democracy at the Cliff Edge - 99%

Sometimes a moment can be pivotal in a way which is not obvious at the time. This article explores whether the UK is at such a critical moment now, without […]

99-percent.org

1

248

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(11/15) Which means that his support in his own party is tenuous. And his confirmed law-breaking has caused more Tory MPs to speak out.

Drawing the Line - 99%

In the light of the confirmed law-breaking by our most senior politicians, this article asks: where will the UK media and public draw the line? And what can individuals […]

99-percent.org

3

174

1K

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(8/10) When it was confirmed that Johnson had broken his own laws, even though ordinary people were fined up to £10,000 we were assured that a grown-up democracy would not be distracted by such fluff. So many of us did not take it too seriously

Jacob Rees-Mogg dismisses partygate as 'trivial fluff'

The cabinet minister says war in Ukraine has returned a sense of "fundamental seriousness" to politics.

www.bbc.co.uk

10

229

980

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(13/14) And we can reverse direction and make Britain a country we can be proud of.

Five Actions to Save the Post-War Social Contract - 99%

The post-war contract was based on people; the market fundamentalist contract is based on markets. Most importantly it represents a radically different view of justice; one which most people would […]

99-percent.org

5

213

965

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(7/10) The dismantling of democratic safeguards like having an independent Electoral Commission to ensure fair elections, would have worried us if we had seen how the pieces of the jigsaw fitted together. But we were not really informed of that.

Saving Democracy - 99%

The UK Needs a democratic reset if it is to remain a functioning democracy

99-percent.org

5

252

975

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 months

(9/9) If you would rather not see that happen, take a look at the 99% Organisation and join us.

Contact - 99%

99-percent.org

15

198

989

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(5/14) We ignored all the legislation that followed, systematically dismantling the checks and balances on government power.

Saving Democracy - 99%

The UK Needs a democratic reset if it is to remain a functioning democracy

99-percent.org

4

239

964

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 months

(6/9) They don’t need to look beyond him to their other tame candidates. He will do their bidding.

An Unwelcome Certainty in an Uncertain World - 99%

As Niels Bohr remarked, “Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.” And that general remark is particularly true about politics where decisions are taken on the basis of complex […]

99-percent.org

4

185

986

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 months

(8/9) And letting us know what will happen if the Conservatives are returned to power.

9

167

985

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 months

(2/9) Is that he chose to make it at the Policy Exchange think tank. As Braverman has done before him.

Who is Behind the ‘Think Tanks’? - 99%

A recently published report from the ‘think tank’ Policy Exchange sets out what they would like to see in the King’s Speech. We have rarely seen such superficial and misguided analysis, and yet...

99-percent.org

7

218

981

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(4/10) Ken Clarke talking about elected dictatorship would have warned us. But the mainstream media didn’t really cover it, so we didn’t know.

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

Thread (1/8) This thread explains why Ken Clarke’s comment about elected dictatorships should be taken seriously. We still have time to save UK democracy, but we do not have time to waste.

37

1K

2K

3

215

952

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(6/10) The government's response to water companies pumping our rivers full of sewage did alarm many of us, and there was widespread revulsion. But we didn’t see the big picture so we were not too concerned.

The Sewage Rebellion - 99%

A decade ago, around 80% of Britain’s bathing waters were rated excellent; over the last 10 years, that has fallen by 20% to around 60%. And of course, the downside is […]

99-percent.org

6

258

957

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(12/14) We can intensify the pressure on Johnson to go and ensure progressive parties win the next election.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - 99%

The Conservative Party won an 80-seat majority at the last election, adding the ‘Red Wall’ seats to its traditional safe seats; and it has at times seemed impregnable as a […]

99-percent.org

7

213

937

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(5/10) The government’s response to the Owen Paterson affair – seeking to legalise corruption – should have alerted us. But that is not how it was generally reported, so we weren’t aware of the full implications.

Legalising Corruption? - 99%

This article was written before Paterson resigned. The points it raises go far beyond the egregious failings of one MP – the Prime Minister’s fingerprints are clearly visible. Please read […]

99-percent.org

2

202

924

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(4/14) Most of our media claimed last year’s Queen’s speech was ‘thin.’ So we ignored the danger signs.

Thick or Thin? - 99%

The Queen’s speech is, as Her Majesty pointed out, written by the government. In the case of the speech she delivered on 11 May 2021, opinions seem divided. Some have […]

99-percent.org

2

226

914

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(7/28) This is no aberration; our government is transforming the UK into a Plunderstate: •The UK government is dominated by market fundamentalists •They have created mechanisms to facilitate the kind of transaction •They are dismantling our democratic safeguards

10

362

911

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

1 year

Thread (1/22) After 13 years in power, the Conservatives want us to believe that the UK is safe in their hands. This thread explains how, given a just a few more years, they can complete their transformation of the UK into a playground for their donors – at our expense.

10

530

909

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Here is a link to the fund-raiser.

"It'sYour fight to save the UK from the liars,cheats & charlatans." Steve Bray

Steve Bray "This is your fight for your future, we desperately need funds to take the campaign across the UK to all areas. To Unite the UK to bring down the self serving liars that are destroying our...

fundrazr.com

14

369

856

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(14/14) If you think you might like to help, sign up and join the 99% Organisation. And support @snb19692

9

214

835

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/16) Now that Johnson is finally on his way out, the Conservatives, a far-right party, are likely to become even more extreme. Unless we stop them.

23

314

833

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

3 years

(4/10) With the result that we have had the worst-performing economy in the developed world since 2016, and most people are poorer today than they were in 2010 – an unheard of disaster.

Time to Change Track - 99%

The UK is a rich country with a proud democratic tradition. We have produced some of the world’s greatest scientists and a number of world-leading companies. We are strong in […]

99-percent.org

3

236

825

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

Thread (1/14) When other countries fall prey to dictatorship, I have often wondered why the population ignored so many warning signs. Why did they not take steps – even simple ones like not voting for those who were heading for dictatorship? Now I wonder about the UK.

61

543

826

Mark E Thomas @mrmarkethomas.bsky.social

@MrMarkEThomas

2 years

(10/10) And if you would like to help more generally, take a look at the 99% organisation and join us.

Home - 99%

99-percent.org

24

180

805